Shows and movies like Star Trek and The Hunger Games often lead us to imagine fashion in the future featuring lots of space-chic tunics or otherworldly, campy garments. But these Badgers seek to alter the future of fashion by drawing inspiration from the past. Take a look at some work from a handful of student and recently graduated designers and stylists who incorporate centuries-old religious and ethnic traditions and historical eras into their modern-day ’fits. Then check out the full story to read about each Badger’s source of inspiration, from traditional Hmong embellishments to cowboy aesthetics.
Kabir Chawla x’25
“In modern media, I found it rare that someone who looked like me was represented in creative spaces. This motivated me to turn a simple interest into a way for me to represent my people. Walking down a runway, creative directing a shoot, and modeling a brand campaign became some ways I work for this result. The creative spaces I enter push me to think innovatively and express myself in nontraditional ways. Through these experiences, I developed an urge to stand for not only my own culture, but other underrepresented cultures in fashion. As a Sikh artist, I want to continue to grow in my discipline and share my expressions with as many people as I can.”
Read more about Chawla’s favorite fads and his future aspirations for fashion.
Robyn George x’25
Major: Textiles and Fashion Design
Highlights: Cofounder of Chicago-based design group Numbers, which debuted at New York Fashion Week in 2024; designer for personal brand Hail Mary; named part of Teen Vogue’s Generation Next 2024 class
“I became interested in fashion when I realized its capability for both creative expression and utility. Ever since, I’ve become obsessed with finding ways to create impact through clothing.”
Elizabeth Song ’24
Major: Textiles and Fashion Design
Highlights: Displayed her work at the International Textile & Apparel Association’s annual conference in late 2024
“I find a lot of inspiration in culture and identity; thus, much of my work derives from these personal experiences and relationships. In congruence with these themes, this often leads me to exploring Western aesthetics and the idea of acculturation in America. Taking these historic garments, my design process uses this context to tweak and inform each sketch. Between finding these abstract themes to represent, I also delight in keeping personal ethics in mind, such as environmental sustainability. While not a main focus in my overall message, the act of keeping this aspect consistent throughout my work is fulfilling.”
Angel Yang ’24
Major: Textiles and Fashion Design
Highlights: Created a runway collection in collaboration with the McBurney Disability Resource Center featuring accessible clothes for people with physical disabilities
“I first began my interest in textiles and fashion design through my mother and sisters. I am a first-generation Hmong graduate, and in our culture, our traditional clothes hold a significant part of our identities because we do not have a country but are a small, nomadic ethnic group now heavily displaced due to the Vietnam War. My mother taught me Hmong cross-stitch embroidery, my sisters trained me with needle and knitting sticks, and I grew up admiring how fashion can [help one] reinvent oneself. It wasn’t until I came to UW–Madison that I saw this as a possible and financially sound career. I’m really thankful that I’ve come this far despite the many barriers I have encountered and am lucky that I am able to share my diverse and authentic self through the medium of textiles and fashion.
“[The image features] one of my weavings that I turned into a wrapped blouse that has elements of Hmong traditional clothing. It was also showcased in the Ruth Davis Design Gallery in the show Made in SoHE: Produced with Passion.”
